According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, tensions are escalating within Israeli prisons as senior officials from Hamas and Fatah issue warnings about potential uprisings among incarcerated security prisoners. During a session of the Knesset National Security Committee, Israel Prison Services (IPS) Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi revealed alarming threats made by senior imprisoned figures.
One senior Hamas official reportedly told Yaakobi, "You will end the war outside; we will start it in prison." A high-ranking Fatah official added, "We will have our Independence Day inside the prison." These declarations, according to Yaakobi, underline the volatile atmosphere within the prisons, which he described as Israel's "eighth front."
Commissioner Yaakobi, who assumed his role in May 2024, emphasized the critical role of IPS in national security. Speaking before the Knesset, he said, "These quotes reverberate with me, and I am preparing myself with the means and preparing the team accordingly."
Yaakobi likened the situation within Israel's security prisons to the nation's other key military fronts, including those involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and threats from Iran and Iraq. He stressed that managing the incarcerated population of security prisoners requires robust intelligence capabilities and preventative measures.
The commissioner also revealed ongoing efforts to counter criminal activities and security threats inside prisons. "We are seizing hundreds of weapons and intercepting countless plots," he said, highlighting collaboration between IPS and Shin Bet in uncovering schemes to harm prison staff.
Additionally, Yaakobi warned about attempts by criminal and terrorist organizations to infiltrate IPS staff. "Prominent crime organizations attempt to infiltrate our ranks," he stated. To address this, rigorous measures, including polygraph tests, have been implemented, and several employees implicated in smuggling contraband have been dismissed.
The threats from senior Hamas and Fatah officials come amid ongoing violence between Israel and militant groups. Analysts warn that unrest within the prisons could spill over, creating additional challenges for Israeli authorities already dealing with external conflicts.
Yaakobi has called for increased funding and resources to strengthen IPS intelligence capabilities. "This is an active and existing front," he reiterated. "The threats are real, and we must adapt leadership and develop offensive tools to confront them."
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